diff --git a/utils/p4runtime_lib/convert.py b/utils/p4runtime_lib/convert.py
index 2ac33c541..af9828583 100644
--- a/utils/p4runtime_lib/convert.py
+++ b/utils/p4runtime_lib/convert.py
@@ -102,6 +102,15 @@ def encode(x, bitwidth):
     assert(len(encoded_bytes) == byte_len)
     return encoded_bytes
 
+def decode(enc_val):
+    decode_functions = [decodeIPv6, decodeIPv4, decodeMac, decodeNum]
+    for func in decode_functions:
+        try:
+            return func(enc_val)
+        except:
+            pass
+    raise Exception("Not compatible with the encoded value format")
+    
 if __name__ == '__main__':
     # TODO These tests should be moved out of main eventually
     mac = "aa:bb:cc:dd:ee:ff"